Bats Go Quiet as Leafs Drop Series Opener to Majors

By Noam Streiffer

The Leafs lost their first of a home-and-home against the London Majors on Friday night.

Toronto was only able to muster up one run in a 4-1 loss against the second-place Majors.

This loss comes at a critical time for the Leafs as they continue to try and work their way back to .500 ball and move up in the standings to secure home field advantage in the playoffs.

Wilgenis Alvarado got the start for the Leafs and had a decent outing, providing length with six innings of work, but allowed three runs on six hits in the effort as he collected the loss.

The Majors got to Alvarado in the 5th inning on a bases-loaded single from Kyle Maves that allowed Tucker Zdunich to come in to score, giving them the early lead.

Toronto answered right back in the top of the 6th against Majors starter Travis Keys. Marcus Knecht ripped an RBI single that brought Jordan Castaldo in to score to tie the game at one.

Unfortunately for Toronto, this was all the offense they could come up with on the night, as Keys threw six innings of one-run ball and the Majors bullpen combined for three innings of shutout work while striking out six.

London answered back in the bottom half of the 6th. Josh Niles drove in Champ Garner and Tucker Zdunich with a two-run double to make it a 3-1 ballgame.

London tacked on one more in the bottom of the 8th on a Toby Simmons RBI triple to reach the final score of 4-1. Skylar Janisse came in for the save opportunity and converted it, throwing a three-up, three-down inning while striking out two Leafs.

Up Next: A rematch with the Majors, this time on home turf for the Leafs. First pitch from Dominico Field on Saturday, August 2nd at 7:30 PM.